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Predictors of Aggressive Behaviors among Rural Middle School Youth

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This study determined multivariate sets of predictors for verbal and physical aggression among rural middle school youth. Surveys were obtained from 1,440 7th and 8th grade youth from six middle schools in five geographically dispersed states. Multivariate logistic regression identified final predictive models. Similar, but varying sets of predictors were identified across types of aggression. The most consistent set of predictors was gender, family actions against violence, peer violence, anger, academic performance, and alcohol use. These results suggest that in comparison with past studies of non-rural youth, similar factors predict aggressive behavior among urban and non-urban youth.

 Editors’ Strategic Implications: This paper makes two contributions to our understanding of the contextual factors influencing youth violence. First, it indicates that the predictive factors for rural and non-rural youth violence are similar. Second, it confirms the role of both family and peers in influencing such violence. Those who design and implement programs and polices addressing youth violence must look beyond individual variables in order to create comprehensive strategies.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was supported by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (R21 DA-14173; P50 DA07074).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA

    Randall C. Swaim & Kimberly L. Henry

  2. Department of Marketing, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA

    Kathleen Kelly

  3. Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research, Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, 100-C Sage Hall, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA

    Randall C. Swaim

Authors
  1. Randall C. Swaim
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  2. Kimberly L. Henry
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  3. Kathleen Kelly
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Correspondence to Randall C. Swaim.

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Swaim, R.C., Henry, K.L. & Kelly, K. Predictors of Aggressive Behaviors among Rural Middle School Youth. J Primary Prevent 27, 229–243 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-006-0031-2

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